Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, who was expected to become the first official from his country to take charge at the World Cup finals, has been denied entry into the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on Monday.
The reason for his refusal of entry at Miami International Airport was not immediately disclosed. However, Somalia is among several countries included on a travel ban list introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and former national team captain, described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees and said he deserved broad support from the football community.
Abshir confirmed that Artan held a valid US visa before his arrival and has since returned to Istanbul, where he has been based.
He argued that blocking Artan from entering the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches undermines fairness, merit, and the principles of fair play in football.
Artan was among 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the June–July World Cup finals hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
He has been a FIFA referee since 2018 and has officiated in Somalia’s domestic league, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria, and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier praised his historic selection for the World Cup, calling him an inspiration to young Somalis.